Chapter 3!

Choji had spent nearly the whole day yesterday looking for Ino, but since the restaurant incident she was nowhere to be found. She was getting good at leaving without a trace. So he decide when she wanted to come talk to him, she knew where he was.

While walking through the village he spotted a very pissed off Kankuro. "He must be still angry about his party being cancelled at the last minute" Choji thought. Deciding it would be best to stay out of his way he went to turn down an ally.

"Hay Choji, where you going?" Unfortunately Choji was not in luck today.

"Just looking for Ino, you haven't seen her have you?"

"What your blonde teammate? Nope didn't know she was back in the village. How are you buddy?" Over the last 2 years he and Kankuro had become quite good friends. It was due to a mission gone wrong and Choji ended up saving Kankuros life. Since then they became very close. Kankuro had changed quite a bit over the years too. He was now the top puppet master in all the Hidden Villages. His appearance had changed too. His hair was still as shaggy as ever if not more. He now only wore his purple face paint when he was on a mission otherwise he went without it and the hood where also only use on a mission. He still carried a scroll around with him but that was to be expected. Choji never did get use to seeing him without his war gear on.

"Yeah she came back yesterday, not many people know she's back. Sorry to hear about your party."

"Ahh best keep it to myself so. It's ok; it's not cancelled its just postponed for a few days. So in three days time it'll be at the same place and same time. Will you still be able to make it? I've already told everyone else so it's all sorted again. I'm still pissed about having to postpone but since Gaara is in the village too he's busting my balls over small and useless matters. But what can you do, he's the boss!"

"Of course I will and Ayame will be there too. Well you are his right hand man." Both men continued to walk down the market street, chatting casually about this and that. Until a flash of pale yellow made Choji stop! Kankuro looked over to where Choji was staring and standing at the fruit market stall was the sexiest girl he had ever seen. Her long blonde hair was let loose and it reached just below her waist. She was wearing black shorts with a purple boob tube and strangely no shoes. But the things he would do to her. He could imagine those creamy legs wrapped around his waist and... The sound of his friend's voice brought him out of those thoughts. Shaking his head he stared at the goddess in front of him again.

"Ino where have you been I've been looking all over for you?"

Ino! That beautiful woman was Ino! No way was that the loud mouth bitchy blonde he remembered.

Ino looked up from the apple stall to see her best friend and a brown haired boy she didn't know. He looked familiar enough but she couldn't place her finger on where she had seen him before. Obviously he wasn't important enough to remember.

"Hay Choji, what you doing? How was the party last night?" She threw him her best smile.

"It's postponed for three days. Where did you go yesterday? I was looking everywhere for you. Oh and Ino where are your shoes?"

"Huh?"Looking down she realised she had forgot to put them on. She started having a habit of forgetting items of clothing. Shoes where the worst! But not the most embarrassing item she had left behind. "Damn I knew I forgot something!" Wiggling her toes on the ground she smiled at him. "Oh I had a few things to take care off. Unpack and shit like that."

"But you weren't in your apartment."

"That's because I've moved silly."

"Where to?"

"Not telling you." Ino stuck out her tongue childishly and couldn't help but laugh at the pout on his face. It made him seem a lot younger. He looked sixteen again. Laughing away with Choji she had forgotten all about the brown haired boy next to him.

"I live in the village center now. It's easier to get around. So what's new?"

"Well like I said earlier Kankuros party is in three days will you be coming?"

"He's the puppet guy right? The bother of Gaara?" she questioned.

"Yup that's him." Choji smiled at Kankuro but this went unnoticed by Ino.

"Well then I'm going to have to say no! I really don't want to be at a party like that. He and his brother give me the creeps."

"Ino!" Choji tried to interrupt. Unsuccessfully!

"One wears more make up then me and the other is about as sociable as a rock. Not to mention if you piss them off you've got a giant doll flying at you and a sand coffin on your ass. It'll be like 'hay how are you? SAND BURIAL!' Not what I call a good conversation starter." Ino was swinging her arms around imitating Gaara.

"Ino!" His voice a bit louder this time.

"No way that family is just to weird to hang around. Even for a night. And don't get me started on that sister of theirs!" Ino continued her rant not noticing the glares the brown haired boy was giving her.

"Oh and you know the worst thing about them?"

"INO!" Choji shouted.

"Kami Choji I'm not deaf, why are you shouting? Oh and you never introduced me to your friend!" she smiled at the brown haired boy who for some reason was glaring at her. "Hi I'm Ino Yamanaka and you are?"

"Kankuro, brother of the creepy Gaara!" Inos face dropped as she stared at him. Damn she knew he looked familiar. Quickly gathering herself she smiled at him.

"Like I was saying to Choji I would be honoured to be at your party. I'm sure it'll be loads of fun! Not to mention awesome. I'm super excited for it!"

"I'm sure you are!" Glaring at Ino he turned to Choji."I'll see you around bud." Storming past Ino he attempted to bump into her on the way passed. But she side stepped it.

"Oh thanks Choji for just letting me insult his whole family right in front of him. You could have given me a heads up!" Her day, which started off quite good, was now slowly turning sour. Nothing could be worse than this.

"I believe he was trying to stop you Miss Yamanaka. Not that you took any notice!" The sound of a horse, deep voice seemed to answer the question. And Ino knew who the voice belonged to. She weighed up her options. One, she could drop everything and run. Two, she could turn and apologise. Or three, she could pretend she was under mind-control. To be truthful she liked the thought of three but she was sure that the Kazekage would not fall for it. But still...

Lowering her head she decided option two was the one where there was less chance of picking sand out of her bra. Slowly turning to face him, not without giving Choji a glare first, she stopped and looked up at him. Bowing, she again looked up at a very unimpressed Gaara.

"I'm so sorry sir! How much did you hear exactly?"

"I believe I came in on 'He's a sociable as a rock.' " His harsh voice made her wince. And if looks could kill her goose would be well cooked by now! She put her gaze to the floor. He sounded pissed!

"I really am sorry Lord Kazekage. It won't happen again." Well not around him anyway. Her eyes darted up and met his. He'd gotten taller! She put on her best puppy dog eyes and hoped for the best. He snorted at her. He was still glaring.

"I expect to see you at the party. You can help to set it up as an apology or I'll be having a word with you Hokage!"

"It's the least I could do sir." Damn him. The last thing she wanted to do was be any closer to him or the rest of the family. With that he turned to leave. He stopped briefly.

"Be at the Faded Red Rose at five on Friday. Don't be late!" his last words sound more like a threat then an order. The only thing he was missing was the "or else". She turned to face a now laughing Choji. His hand was across his mouth but his face was bright red. As soon as the Kazekage was out of sight he let out the loudest laugh. Ino was not impressed.

"Damn it Cho, he looked so pissed. Why didn't you tell me he was behind me or Kankuro was beside you? I've only been back a day and I've managed to piss off the two most powerful men in Suna! And now I have to help out with the stupid party. That was the last thing I wanted to do." She knew she sounded whiny but she didn't want to do this. Choji was still laughing hysterically. She sighed and realising what's done is done she joined in on his laughter. But in the back of her mind she was dreading Friday! So much of having a good day!

Okies chapter 3 done :D thanks a bunch to everyone who reviewed and followed/fav. Eeeekkkk you really are sweeties :D okies so by chapter 5 ill have Ino with the guy you've picked :D so until then keep saying who you want :D and the guy who has the most will be with ino :D and heres the votes so far,,,,

Sasuke-3

Naruto-2

Neji-2

Kiba-1

:D see you next time :D